Invisalign Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

Brunette woman with white straight teeth smiles while wearing a black tank top sitting in a dirt field

If you’ve been considering orthodontics, we’d love to help you make an informed decision about which version is best for you. Traditional braces are made of metal brackets that are held together with wire and rubber bands. An Invisalign® aligner is a clear, plastic, removable tray. Read on to learn how traditional braces and Invisalign compare in terms of their results, appearance, comfort, and maintenance.

  1. Results
  2. Traditional Braces

    Traditional braces is a versatile orthodontic option that effectively treats a wide range of misalignments and bite issues. Typically, the average treatment time is about 12-36 months, but some orthodontists offer accelerated braces that can cut your treatment time in half.

    Invisalign

    Invisalign is not the right option for every smile, but is as effective as traditional braces when treating the issues for which it is appropriate. Average treatment time is about 12-18 months.

  3. Appearance
  4. Traditional Braces

    While traditional braces efficiently straighten your teeth, they are very noticeable due to the brackets, wires, and rubber bands. However, kids and teenagers may find choosing colored rubber bands to be a fun form of self-expression. Some orthodontists also offer tooth-colored or clear brackets made of dental ceramic for a less noticeable alteration to your appearance.

    Invisalign

    Invisalign is a discreet and inconspicuous way to straighten teeth. In fact, it is barely noticeable when someone is wearing their clear aligners! You can even remove them for special occasions, like a wedding or family photo.

  5. Comfort
  6. Traditional Braces

    Braces have greatly advanced over the years and are more comfortable than ever before. But they can initially feel a little uncomfortable after they are placed as the brackets rub against the inner soft tissue of your mouth. You may also experience some soreness as your braces gradually force your teeth into their new positions, especially each time you get your braces adjusted and tightened.

    Invisalign

    As with braces, there may be some discomfort as the teeth begin to shift and straighten, but there is no potential rubbing or soreness of the sides of the mouth because of the smooth plastic.

  7. Maintenance
  8. With both traditional braces and Invisalign, taking good care of your teeth is critical if you are to achieve the beautiful and healthy smile you’ve imagined. This includes biannual dental checkups and cleanings!

    Traditional Braces

    • Because braces aren’t removable until the completion of treatment, you’ll need to avoid biting into whole apples, chewing gum, and eating other foods that can damage your braces, such as popcorn, sticky candy, and corn on the cob.
    • Your oral hygiene routine will need to be slightly modified to adequately keep bacteria and plaque from accumulating around your braces. You will still need to brush twice a day for two minutes each time and floss at least once a day, but you will need to pay careful attention to the areas around your brackets and under the wires. Many patients find that an electric toothbrush makes brushing easier and that floss threaders or a water flosser device make flossing easier.
    • You’ll need to attend follow-up appointments every 4-6 weeks to get your braces adjusted and tightened.

    Invisalign

    • The trays are to be removed when eating and drinking anything other than water and when cleaning your teeth.
    • Since treatment is most effective when the trays are worn for 20-22 hours a day, chewing sugar-free gum is recommended only briefly after meals to help clean off your teeth before replacing the trays.
    • Sticky candy and sugary beverages are discouraged because they can linger on your teeth beneath the trays, promoting decay.
    • If you are already brushing twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing at least once a day, your oral hygiene routine doesn’t need to be modified.
    • You’ll still need to be seen for follow-up visits every few weeks to receive your new aligners and to check your treatment’s progress.

We Want You to Have Your Dream Smile!

Our team can help you decide if Invisalignis a good fit for your smile goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Patient Reviews

Karoline PammerKaroline Pammer
20:52 30 Mar 22
Dr. Nguyen and his staff are extremely competent, friendly and professional. He is very thorough and explains everything very clearly. Finally I feel like I am in good hands when it comes to dental care.
Matt SmithMatt Smith
21:18 05 Feb 22
Great overall experience getting a dental cleaning. Very friendly staff, beautifully designed office, and a comfortable experience watching calming Netflix nature programming while in the chair. Complimentary beverages are in the waiting room and so is a little play area for kids.It felt to me that this was a patient-focused family practice as opposed to a cold, corporate dental mill trying to churn through as many patients as possible.I’ll definitely be coming back here for all my dental needs and I highly recommend.
Sundup SherpaSundup Sherpa
22:07 02 Feb 22
Dr. Nguyen and his staff are very welcoming and they provide an excellent experience every time I visit. I’ve only been here twice for annual checkups but would definitely consider and recommend this place to anyone who appreciates good customer experience and a very thoughtful approach to making sure that you feel at home. I have some procedures set up for later in the month and I must actually be the only person in the world actually looking forward to a dentist appointment.
Jayrockem GottemJayrockem Gottem
21:27 09 Nov 21
Great place wonderful staff they will be my go too dentist 100%
shawaf alishawaf ali
22:08 26 Aug 21
Very confident after leaving the office that my teeth are in greatttt hands. Above and beyond patient care. Very informative visits. A sense that they genuinely care about patient concerns. Added helpful guidelines I took home with me to reach dental hygiene goals before my next visits. Highly recommended you leave your old scary dentist ! 😁😁
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Queensboro Plaza Dental Care

Queensboro Plaza Dental Care